FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships

On the last days of summer, the capital city of Azerbaijan, Baku will be in the limelight for the world`s gymnastics again. Thus, after the 14 years, Azerbaijan will host one of  the most significant events – the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships  again.

The events to be held on September 16-22, will be remarkable not only for the contest of rhythmic gymnasts for the medals from all over the world, but also for qualification for the 32^th Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo in 2020.

At the Championships with a participation of 61 countries, both individual gymnasts and teams in group exercises will do their best to be among the strongest ones in the Apparatus Finals and All-around within 7 days, while the individual gymnasts will also be awarded for team competition.

According to the definitive list, more than 300 gymnasts will perform with all their strength for being new candidate for the Olympic Games. So, the first 16 individual gymnasts (max. 2 gymnasts per country) in the All-Around ranking, will qualify for the Games.  As for the gymnasts within group exercises, Bulgaria, Russia and Italy have already qualified according to the results of the last World Championships. At this year`s Championships, the best 5 teams will qualify for the Tokyo-2020 Olympic Games according to the All-Around scores.

One of the most splendid part of the Championships will be the Opening Ceremony organized under the motto “the Fairy Tales will come to life”. The organizers promise magnificent and unique show that will take the spectators on a journey into the fairy tale world. Along with the show called "Eastern Fairy Tale", which is staged on the basis of Eastern motives, the participation of famous Azerbaijani singers were confirmed in the show part of the Opening Ceremony.

Thus, people`s artist of Azerbaijan and a famous singer not only in our country, but also abroad, Emin Aghalarov, will make the spectators happy with his hit songs at the Opening Ceremony on the first day of the Championships. Well-known singer and composer of Azerbaijan, honored artist, Tunzala Aghayeva, will sing the National Anthem of Azerbaijan in the form of A cappella.

The exciting moments of the opening ceremony do not finish here. The star ambassador of the World Championships, Azerbaijan’s favorite singer, Miri Yusif will sing a song, which is composed especially for this event.

The ambassador of the World Championships - repeated World Champion, Olympic Games medalist and a former famous Russian gymnast, Yana Batyrshina will also watch the competitions along with spectators.

At this Championships, the official mascot of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation and everyone`s favorite, “Gur-Gur” will also be with you. Having just returned to Baku from the world travel “Gur-Gur” will share his impressions with you.

Besides, interesting contests and entertainment program await the audience during the events.

Thus, in order to support our gymnasts and spend interesting moments at such a major event, you can already purchase your tickets at MGA Ticket Office, Ganjlik Mall shopping center, as well as online (https://ticketing.mga.az/). The price of the tickets constitutes 10, 15 and 20 manats.

The information about the events will regularly be updated on our website (www.agf.az).

Venue: Milli Gimnastika Arenası

Contact number: (+994 12/51) 566-96-99

Address: 178 Heydar Aliyev Ave., Baku

Passage: Koroghlu metro station

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Dear friends and colleagues!

I sincerely welcome all the participants and guests of the 37^th FIG World Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics. I am very grateful to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for the shown confidence. It is a great honour and responsibility for us to host such a prestigious sports competition in our country.

It is not the first time when Baku opens its doors to the participants of important sports events. Azerbaijan has unofficially won a title of the region’s sports capital for a long time. There were held the European and World Championships in various sports disciplines in our country. In 2015, the First European Games were held in Azerbaijan. Baku hosted the World Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in 2005 for the first time.

At that period, the dynamic development of gymnastics just commenced and the foundation of the current achievements of gymnastics school was laid in our country, which had recently restored its independence. Many disciplines of modern gymnastics are being successfully developed in our country today. Our athletes mount the podium of the most prestigious international competitions. Gymnastics sections are popular in Baku and the regions of Azerbaijan. This beautiful and harmonious sports discipline has truly become favourite in our country. Great development is observed in sports infrastructure. Azerbaijan’s Milli Gimnastika Arenası (National Gymnastics Arena) regularly hosts prestigious international competitions in Olympic disciplines of gymnastics. Athletes from many countries come to our country to take part in the training camp. So, it is natural that the Azerbaijani gymnastics school won a recognition of the international sports community.

Now, we, the members of the big and friendly universal gymnastics team, will have a new meeting at the hospitable land of Azerbaijan. I wish successes, victories and personal records to all the competitors of the FIG World Championships. I am confident that sports fans will witness beautiful and unforgettable performances. I express my sincere gratitude to all the people who took part in the organization of our World Championships – to the leadership of the International Gymnastics Federation, all members of the Organizing Committee, the athletes and fans. I am sure that you - dear participants and guests of the Championships, will see how beautiful our Baku is, be convinced in sincerity and warmth of the Azerbaijani people. Once again, I wish you all health, peace and well-being.  

Mehriban Aliyeva

President of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation